IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
H.P.SANDESH, J.
K.N.Munivenkatappa, S/o. Narayanappa – Appellant
Versus
Krishnappa, S/o. Gullappa – Respondent
Regular Second Appeal No. 172 of 2020 (DEC/INJ)
Decided on : 16-03-2023
Limitation Act, 1963 - Article 58, 65 - Property - Gift deed - Permanent injunction - Plaintiff seeking relief of declaration and permanent injunction is that the he is absolute owner of suit schedule property under gift deed – Merely because he is having sale agreement, same does not convey any title or any right in respect of suit schedule property - Para 37.
Finding of the Court: Courts have committed an error when defendant pleaded specifically that he has been in possession of suit schedule property based on sale agreement and ought not to have granted relief of declaration as well as possession and very approach of both Courts is erroneous - Merely because he is having sale agreement, same does not convey any title or any right in respect of suit schedule property and plaintiff has claimed relief of declaration based on gift deed and gift deed was executed by Thimmappa in year 1996 and he was only sole surviving son as on date of execution of gift deed in favour of plaintiff hence, Court do not find any perversity in findings of both Courts and both Courts have given anxious consideration to material available on record and given concurrent finding.
Result: Appeal dismissed.
JUDGMENT :
This matter is listed for admission along with T.C.Rs. and I have heard the learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the respondent.
2. The factual matrix of the case of the plaintiff before the Trial Court while seeking the relief of declaration and permanent injunction is that the he is the absolute owner of the suit schedule property under the gift deed dated 29.01.1996 which was executed by Thimmappa, son of late Nyathappa and the said Thimmappa has delivered possession to the plaintiff on the same day. Hence, after receiving the delivery of possession on 29.01.1996, the plaintiff and Thimmappa has been in peaceful possession and enjoyment over the suit schedule property. The suit schedule property is a dry land situated at Kundarasanahalli Village, Kamasamudram Hobli, Bangarpet Taluk bearing Sy.No.10/1, measuring 2 acres and 3 guntas, including 6 guntas phut karab which is morefully described in the schedule. It is contended that, on the basis of the said registered gift deed, the plaintiff has been growing crops in the suit schedule property such as Ragi, Hurali etc. All the revenue records are standing in the name of plaintiff on the basis of alleged gift deed. Hence, the plaintiff has been in peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit schedule property and he has been paying tax to the Government and hence, the plaintiff is the absolute owner of the suit schedule property and he being an illiterate person, has filed the suit against the defendant in O.S.No.36/2004 before the Civil Judge (Junior Division), KGF for the relief of permanent injunction. After completion of full-fledged trial, suit is dismissed against the plaintiff and thereafter, the plaintiff has preferred an appeal before the Senior Civil Judge, KGF in R.A.No.3/2007. During the pendency of the appeal, the plaintiff has filed an application praying the Court to permit him to file a fresh suit on the same cause of action against the defendant due to technical point. To avoid the multiplicity of proceedings, the Senior Civil Judge, KGF has granted permission to the plaintiff to file a fresh suit against the defendant on 14.06.2010. It is contended that the defendant without having any manner of right, interfering with the plaintiff’s peaceful possession over the suit schedule property and the defendant by fabricating and forging the sale agreement, is claiming his title along with possession of suit schedule property, though there is no right and possession by the defendant. Hence, filed the suit seeking the relief of declaration and possession.
3. In pursuance of the suit summons, the defendant appeared and filed the written statement denying the very execution of gift deed by Thimmappa in favour of the plaintiff and all the entries in revenue records are concocted and fabricated by the plaintiff without any manner of right over the suit schedule property, the plaintiff is interfering with the peaceful possession of the defendant. The defendant has taken specific contention that the suit schedule property bearing Sy.No.10/1 originally belongs to Muniyamma and said Muniyamma got the suit property from one Bathyappa under a registered sale deed dated 11.06.1993. Therefore, the revenue records are standing in the name of Muniyamma. It is contended that Venkatappa, Son of Nyathappa was in physical possession and enjoyment of the suit property and that the said person had been in peaceful possession of other properties and said Venkatappa for his legal necessity to look into the aspect of the family, he alienated the suit schedule property in favour of the defendant under sale agreement dated 11.12.1991 for a valuable consideration of Rs.15,000/-. After receiving the entire amount, he has executed the sale agreement in favour of defendant on 11.12.1991 and delivered the possession over the suit schedule property to the defendant and on the basis of the said sale agreement, the defendant has been in peaceful possession and enjoyment o
NAZIR MOHAMED v. J. KAMALA AND OTHERS reported in (2020) 19 SCC 57
Article 58 of Limitation Act prescribes limitation of three years from date when right, to sue first accrues to obtain a declaration.
In property disputes, once a plaintiff proves title, the burden shifts to the defendant to establish adverse possession; failure to do so results in the plaintiff's claim being upheld.
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